The Middle Shelf Book Review Policy

All reviews are written by C.

I am open to requests for reviews by publishers (small and indie press welcome, including digital only press). A request can be made using the contact form at the bottom of this page but please check the review guide below before submitting.

I am not open to requests for reviews by self published and indie authors or by indie collectives.

The Middle Shelf editorial line

I review only science fiction and fantasy novels and novellas, sometimes but rarely, horror novels.

I don't review series of books which aren't completed.

I follow a strict personal guideline of half reviews about books written by female writers and half about books written by male writers. Stories by non binary writers are also welcome.

As of 2016, at least a quarter of the reviews per calendar year are about books by writers of colour (not including the reviews in the collections). I am aiming for a third in 2017.

I don't follow at the moment any personal guideline about QUILTBAG writers (QUeer-Intersex-Lesbian-Trans-Bi-Ace/Aro-Gay) but stories by QUILTBAG writers are always welcome.

Genres reviewed on The Middle Shelf

I only review science-fiction or fantasy. A romance story, even if it has a scifi or fantasy setting to it, won't be accepted.

I am not open for submissions of short stories or anthologies. Novels and novellas are preferred.

I am not open for submissions of horror novels.

I am not open for submissions of YA novels or kidlit.

Professionally translated works are accepted.

If you are unsure whether I may like the book or not, you can check my past reviews to see what I usually like.

WHERE ARE THE REVIEWS PUBLISHED?

ON AMAZON:

I will post an honest review on Amazon in exchange for a review copy as soon as I've read the book.

A disclaimer will be included in the review: "A free copy was received in exchange for an honest review."

ON BLACK GIRL NERDS

Reviews for stories written by PoC writers are also submitted to the website Black Girl Nerds for which I've been guest blogging since May 2017 (two reviews per month).

Reviews for stories written by white writers but which feature a main PoC character may also be submitted to Black Girl Nerds but priority will always be given to stories written by PoC writers.

A disclaimer will appear at the end of the review: "A free copy was received in exchange for an honest review on Amazon but with no obligation attached to review it on Black Girl Nerds."

ON THE MIDDLE SHELF:

On The Middle Shelf I only review books that feel special to me. A copy received, read and reviewed on Amazon and/or Black Girl Nerds isn't a guarantee of a review on the blog.

I may not publish the review before a couple of months though if it is an ARC I will do my best to review it before the publication date.

If I review it, a disclaimer will appear at the end of the review: "A free copy was received in exchange for an honest review on Amazon but with no obligation attached to review it on The Middle Shelf."

I can, on request, post a review on Kobo too. Please note that I don't post reviews on GoodReads.

The Middle Shelf prefers diverse scifi and fantasy!

I am happy to receive stories written by PoC writers even if it's not a recent publication.

I am happy to receive stories written by female writers (WoC and trans women included, of course), whether they have a feminist theme or not.

I am happy to receive a story with QUILTBAG characters and/or written by a QUILTBAG writer (A standing for ace/aro).

Reviews of books by non binary writers and by trans writers are categorized within the gender they publicly identify with or can be inserted between reviews by female/male writers upon request made in advance. The pronouns them/they will be used for non binary or queer writers. The pronouns e/eir can be used upon request made in advance.

I am happy to receive a story that includes mental health or disability issues, preferrably own voices.

Practical details

An .epub will be preferred to a hard copy. No .mobi, thank you. Please don't send a DRMed file as I use an ereader which doesn't like them (PocketBook): I have the knowledge in how to remove them but it is a hassle.

The reviews are published as soon as possible, though I usually have a full publishing schedule for the next two months. In the case of an ARC, I'll try to publish it before the book is released.

I'm also a member of NetGalley and can receive review copies from there.

SMALL AND INDIE PRESS ARE WELCOME

I am happy to review books from small and independent press. I have already reviewed books from Apex, Aqueduct, Unsung Stories, Fox Spirit Books, Rebellion Press, etc. and I have received ARCs and review copies from Unsung Stories, Akashic Books and Fox Spirit Books.

COVER REVEALS AND BLOG TOURS

Please note I don't take part in cover reveals or blog tours. The blog is only dedicated to book reviews. Author interviews may appear at some point in the future, though I would favour authors I already follow.

BOOK SERIES

I am happy to review a completed book series or a series of stand alone books all set in the same world. I don't review an uncomplete series, so no first volume only, thank you.

I reserve the right of refusing a request for review even if it fulfills all the requirements.